What’s always made America great: ‘We once had a president who gave up his beloved peanut farm to avoid any conflict of interest & at 92 is still building houses for the poor,’ writes Gabe Ortiz of Jimmy Carter.

“As a citizen more than a candidate, I recoil at the prospect of Mr. Nixon as a custodian of this nation’s future, as guardian of the hydrogen bomb. […] Our nation stands at a fork in the political road. In one direction lies a land of slander and scare; the land of sly innuendo, the poison pen, the anonymous phone call and hustling, pushing, shoving; the land of smash and grab and anything to win. This is Nixonland. America is something different.”

–Adlai Stevenson, from speeches written for him by John Kenneth Galbraith during the 1956 presidential campaign.

The Palm Coast City Council meets at 9 a.m. at City Hall in Town Center. The council is expected to set its proposed maximum property tax rate for next year–a rate that may come down in coming weeks, as the council works on its budget, but that may not be set higher than what the council decides today, once it is locked in place and voted on in September. Council members are expected to vote on a proposal by Sheriff Rick Staly to add five deputies to the city’s policing ranks, primarily to form a traffic enforcement unit. The addition would push the city’s policing costs to $3.3 million annually. The council may possibly discuss the future of City Manager Jim Landon in light of disclosures Friday that he has lost the confidence of four of the five council members.

The Flagler County Supervisor of Elections hosts a mock election and open house to celebrate the office’s new voting system, with tours of the elections office and voting hours set between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. You’ll be able to vote through new voting equipment recently bought and installed. Voters may cast ballots about their favorite county or municipal parks, their favorite events, their favorite potato preparation, and so on. The full ballot is available here. A colorful, detailed invitation is here.

The Flagler County School Board meets for a workshop at 1 p.m. in Training Rom 3B on the third floor of the Government Services Building in Bunnell, and for its action meeting at 6 p.m. in board chambers downstairs at the GSB.

Join local author Bill Ryan to learn about historic and interesting county sites on a bus trip sponsored by the Flagler County Historical Society. The adventure begins at the Holden House, 204 East Moody Boulevard in Bunnell at 10 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. The cost is $20 per person which does not include lunch at the Bull Creek Fish Camp. To make reservations please call 386-439-5003.

Flagler County Fire Station 92 – located at the Flagler Executive Airport, 130 Airport Road – will host the first of five blood drives within the county from noon to 5 p.m. July 17. Additional blood drives will be held at the following locations: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 19 at the City of Bunnell, 201 W. Moody Boulevard; 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 20 at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Operations Center, 901 E. Moody Boulevard; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 21 at Palm Coast Fire Department Station 25, 1250 Belle Terre Parkway; and, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 24 at the Flagler County Emergency Operations Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Building 3. “We are pleased to be part of this event,” said Flagler County Fire Chief Don Petito. “Our firefighter-paramedics know what a crucial part of saving lives these blood drives are.” Blood is the only non-manufactured life-sustaining product. It cannot be reproduced. “A few of you may be familiar with our ‘Guns and Hoses’ competitive blood drive,” said Danielle Summa, the Volusia/Flagler OneBlood account representative. “We decided to change it up and make it a community event, now being called ‘Be a Hero.’” Those who donate blood will receive a T-shirt and a wellness check-up that includes blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count, and cholesterol screening. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can be made online at www.oneblooddonor.org.

Colorado Bridge in Palm Coast Closed for reconstruction through mid- to late-September

The Colorado Bridge, on Colorado Drive between Crandell Court and Crampton Court in Palm Coast, will be remain closed through mid- to late-September as reconstruction of the bridge continues. This project is part of the City of Palm Coast’s bridge rehabilitation program. Detours are being provided. Those east of the bridge are using Colechester Lane, and those west of the bridge are using Colorado Drive to access Palm Harbor Parkway. The City of Palm Coast appreciates the continued patience of residents and motorists during this important bridge reconstruction project. For more information, call Customer Service at 386-986-2360.

School funding for construction: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss bond rates in the Public Education Capital Outlay, or PECO, program. (8:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

Education lawsuit: The 1st District Court of Appeal is scheduled to hear arguments in a long-running fight about whether Florida is providing an adequate public-education system. The case, spearheaded by the groups Citizens for Strong Schools, Inc., and Fund Education Now, is rooted in a 1998 constitutional amendment that says it is a “paramount duty of the state to make adequate provision for the education of all children residing within its borders.” The lawsuit alleged that the state failed to comply with the constitutional amendment, which also says adequate provision will be made for a “uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system” of public schools. A Leon County circuit judge last year rejected the lawsuit, prompting the appeal. (9 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

Candidates for two seats on the Florida Public Service Commission face a 5 p.m. Tuesday application deadline. The terms of PSC members Ronald Brise and Art Graham will expire in January, though both have indicated they will seek reappointment.

♦ May 23: The Flagler Chamber's Common Ground Breakfast features a 2019 Legislative Update with Sen. Travis Hutson and Rep. Paul Renner at the Hilton Garden Inn, 55 Town Center Dr., Palm Coast, Checkin begins at 7:30, breakfast starts promptly at 8.
♦ May 23: Flagler Lifeline, a volunteer committee and Flagler Cares affiliate established to broaden conversation and awareness of suicide, will host a public town hall event at 6 p.m. at the Flagler County Association of Realtors building, 4101 East Moody Blvd. in Bunnell. The Town Hall will feature presentations by mental health experts, suicide survivors and others who have been touched by suicide, and will be facilitated by Colleen Conklin, the long-time school board member and one of Flagler Lifeline’s founders. For the past several years Conklin has hosted periodic events, including electronic town halls, to bring awareness to bullying and suicide prevention. The May 23 town hall, like Flagler Lifeline's emergence, is partly a result of Flagler County's place in 2017 as the county with the leading suicide rate in the state, proportional to its population. See the background story here.
♦ May 23: The Flagler Beach City Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 105 South Second Street. Commissioners will consider making the city a member of the American Flood Coalition.
♦ May 23: The Palm Coast Beautification and Environmental Advisory Committee meets at 5 p.m. at City Hall in Town Center. An agenda had not been posted online as of May 18.
♦ May 23: The Wadsworth Elementary School Advisory Council and PTO meet at 6 p.m. in the school’s media center.
♦ May 23: Palm Coast Artist and 2011 Flagler County Artist of the Year Weldon Ryan hosts a meet and great at the Bronze Kingdom African Art Gallery, 3201 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, from 6 to 9 p.m. Wine and cheese, 15 percent off on all of Weldon's works.
♦ May 23-26: "Southern Fried Funeral," a play at the Daytona Playhouse, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., Adults $20, Seniors 55 and up, $18, Youths 18 and under $8. Address: 100 Jessamine Blvd., Daytona Beach, or see directions here. Buy tickets online here. Box office: 386-255-2431.
♦ May 24: Flagler County Emergency Management chief Jonathan Lord hosts a media roundtable at noon on the upcoming hurricane season, at the Emergency Operations Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Bldg. 3 (behind the Government Services Building), Bunnell.
♦ May 24: Butterfly Walk at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, 6400 North Oceanshore Blvd., 10 a.m. Join a ranger at 2 p.m. for a walk through our historical gardens. Learn about the history of our park while exploring the beauty of the formal gardens, with an emphasis on butterflies. The walk is approximately 1 hour. Please bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes. Meet in the garden parking lot. Garden walk included with park entry. No registration required.
♦ May 25: Pool Safety Day at Palm Coast's Freeda Zamba pool, 339 Parkview Drive, open to all ages, from 1 to 4 p.m. The event is designed to teach the importance and seriousness of safety, but while having fun and participating in activities that children will remember. Florida is one of two states that lead the nation with at least 21 fatal child drownings last summer, according to a report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and USA Swimming Foundation. About ten people die every day from unintentional drowning and of these, two will be children age 14 or younger, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The fee is $1 for seniors and youth age 17 and under. It is $2 for adults.
♦ May 27: Memorial Day, 8 a.m. start time at Heroes Memorial Park, 2860 Palm Coast Pkwy. The City of Palm Coast welcomes the community to share a meaningful Memorial Day tribute to those who have lost their lives while serving their country. U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, who represents District 6, will speak. Rain Location: Fire Station 21 at 9 Corporate Drive Free and no registration required. More info: 386-986-2300.
♦ May 28: The Flagler County Opioid Task Force meets at 6 p.m. in the first-floor conference room at the Government Services Building
♦ May 29: The Blue Power 2020 forum, hosted by Mike Cocchiola, who heads the Flagler County Democratic Party, meets at 12:30 p.m. at the Democrats' office, 2 Office Park Drive, Suite D, all welcome. The weekly forum is intended to discuss local, state and national issues and to develop action plans to influence policy.
♦ May 30: Flagler Palm Coast High School and Matanzas High School hold graduation ceremonies at the Daytona Beach Ocean Center. Matanzas High School’s ceremony begins at 4 p.m. and Flagler Palm Coast High School’s starts at 7. Doors to the Ocean Center open one hour before the start of each ceremony. The student procession begins approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Tickets for the ceremonies are free. However, both schools have a 10-ticket limit per student. There may be opportunities for additional tickets. Students will be notified and information is located on each school’s website. Parking passes are also available for pre-purchase. Parking is $5. security measures instituted last year will be in place this year. Please take note and be prepared before you head to the Ocean Center. There will be security checks before ticket holders are allowed entry into the ceremony. Watch livestreams of the ceremonies: Matanzas here, and FPC here.
♦ May 31-June 1, 2 and 8: American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Class – May 31-June 2 and June 8, Friday 5-6:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sunday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Palm Coast Aquatics Center, 339 Parkview Drive. The American Red Cross Lifeguarding course provides entry-level knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over. For ages 15 and up. Cost is $200 (includes CPR mask and certification fee). Registration required at www.parksandrec.fun/aquatics. More info: 386-986-4741.
♦ June 1: The Palm Coast Arts Foundation hosts its First Saturday Creative Bazaar, an arts and crafts flea market. at 1500 Central Avenue in Town center. Arts foundation members and other vendors will have booths of goods for sale. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
♦ June 1: 2nd Annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors Golf Benefit for Homeless Animals: Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a local group of business professionals coming together to raise money for the Halifax Humane Society. Join us for 18-holes of premiere golf at the legendary LPGA International Golf Club. Shot gun start at 8 a.m. Registration at 7. 1000 Champions Drive Daytona Beach. To download entry form, visit https://www.halifaxhumanesociety.org/events/index and then scroll down to the golf outing listing. Hole Sponsorship $100. Single Player $125. Lunch Provided. For more information contact Gus Schutt (386) 233-5302.
♦ June 4: Daytona Tortugas Youth Baseball Clinic, 8:30 a.m-12 p.m. at Indian Trails Sports Complex, 5455 Belle Terre Pkwy., Palm Coast. The Daytona Tortugas will be teaching kids, ages 7-13, skills to improve their ball game in this coed baseball clinic. Grab your glove and bat and learn from the pros! Participants will receive a free ticket to a Daytona Tortugas game. $37/person. Registration required at www.parksandrec.fun/camps. More info: 386-986-2323.
♦ June 4: The Hammock Community Association meets at 7:30 p.m. at the Hammock Community Center on MalaCompra Road, with County Attorney Al Hadeed as speaker, who will present a History of the Hammock Part II.
♦ June 5: The Blue Power 2020 Action Forum, 12:30 p.m. at the Democrats' office, 2 Office Park Drive, Suite D. Come and join other progressive Democrats to discuss local, state and national issues, and propose actions to influence elected leaders. The Forum is open and informal and all opinions and ideas are welcomed. This is your opportunity to meet and lend your voice and knowledge to people who share your values. For more information, contact Mike Cocchiola, palmcoastdemocraticclub@gmail.com. The Blue Power forum meets every Wednesday.For events beyond this date, see the fuller Coming Days here.

To  include your event in this section, please email the details, including date, time, a brief description of the event, contact information, and, if you wish, an image, please use this form.

The Day’s Best Reads:

A return to blood-and-soil nationalism—as seen with the unification of Germany—is occurring around the world. Why? https://t.co/IguExvqHi6

From Open Culture: “American guitar came of age in the fifties, with the blues, folk, country, and jazz playing of Mississippi John Hurt, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, Wes Montgomery, Les Paul, and so many other incredible players who perfected the sound of Americana before it became inseparable from nostalgia and revivalism. Though it has usually been Chuck Berry who gets—or who took—most of the credit for rock and roll, and who is often enough named as a favorite influence of so many UK guitar heroes, one star British player who made his name a few years later always stuck fast to rock and roll’s deepest roots. We can hear all of those golden age players—Hurt, Tharpe, Travis, Atkins, Montgomery, Paul—in Mark Knopfler’s fingers, in some of the unlikeliest hits of the 80s, songs long on style and flashy solos, but also unquestionably rooted in roots music.” See below and read more.

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